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Posted: Aug 10, 2012

QUAN makes plans to deliver more efficient robot actuators

(Nanowerk News) In order to build a new generation of affordable, practical robots for everyday use, efficiency is key. That’s why Quantum International Corp. is working to translate concepts from the science of biology into the science of robotics.

By studying the way human and animal organ systems and tissues work together, Quantum hopes that robotic actuation can someday soon approach the efficiency of biological actuation, where muscles, tendons and bones cooperate in highly efficient ways. More efficient actuator technologies could benefit not only robotics systems, but all actuated systems, such as prosthetic limbs.

“The slow process of natural selection has created the most elegantly efficient natural actuators in the world,” said Quantum CEO Robert Federowicz. “By studying nature, we can arrive at new breakthroughs in robotics that the market is begging for.”

Quantum is close to a definitive agreement with world-renowned robotics innovators at Poland’s Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP). PIAP is already hard at work on robots that mimic animal movements and biology to accomplish sophisticated tasks, such as emulating a snake to crawl into tight spaces, or mimicking a mosquito to clean up oil spills.

“PIAP is developing a number of new technologies for potential commercialization, and we’re very excited about the possibility of helping them bring these ideas to market,” Federowicz said.